Inspirational Boyle scores hat-trick in Devils victory

Brian Boyle of the New Jersey Devils, center, scores past Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray, right, in their NHL game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Monday.

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA Today

New Jersey Devils forward Brian Boyle wants to serve as a role model in the fight against cancer.

He certainly was inspiring on Monday.

The cancer survivor scored three times for his first career hat-trick, leading the Devils to a 5-1 victory over the slumping Pittsburgh Penguins.

Boyle got his natural hat-trick on “Hockey Fights Cancer” night in Pittsburgh. It included two power-play goals and two redirections in front of the net.

“I love these nights, I really do,” Boyle said. “Just the initiative, and seeing the survivors on the ice and being recognized. Sometimes you feel kind of alone. It can be a dark place at times during a cancer fight, but to be seen, the support everybody shows and the money raised, it’s just a phenomenal thing.”

The 33-year-old Boyle was diagnosed with a form of bone marrow cancer at the beginning of training camp last season.

He underwent treatment, returned to the lineup in November last year and won the NHL’s Masterton Trophy for best exemplifying qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.

“There’s ups and downs, just like life,” Boyle said. “The worst kind of part of it was when people felt sorry for you. They don’t know what to say and you want them to feel comfortable around you. I think it’s important to reach out and ask questions if you need help.”

Will Butcher had a goal and two assists for New Jersey, while Travis Zajac scored his fourth goal. Jean-Sebastien Dea, who spent the previous two seasons in Pittsburgh, had two assists.

The Devils stopped a three-game slide with their first road win.

They were outscored 15-6 during the losing streak.

Keith Kinkaid made 35 saves for New Jersey, who have won four of their past five against Pittsburgh.

“It’s an easy game to get up for [with Pittsburgh winning] two championships in the past three years,” Kinkaid said. “They’re a good team, but I think we match up well against them.”

Jamie Oleksiak scored for the Penguins, who have dropped four in a row.

Matt Murray stopped 23 shots in two periods before he was pulled for Casey DeSmith, who made 11 saves. Murray has allowed at least four goals in each of his five home starts.

Prior to their slide, Pittsburgh outscored the opposition 23-6 during a four-game winning streak. It was only the third time the Penguins have lost four straight under Mike Sullivan and the first time Pittsburgh have dropped four in a row at home under the fourth-year head coach.

Pittsburgh has two wins in seven home games this season. They won 30 home games each of the two previous seasons.

“A week ago, we were feeling good about ourselves when we won four in a row on the western Canada trip,” Sullivan said. “It’s not a good feeling when you’re in these types of situations, but we have to rely on one another to get out of it. We believe we have what it takes to be a very good team in the league.”

Boyle gave the Devils a 2-1 lead in the first period when he tipped a Ben Lovejoy shot behind Murray from the top of the crease.

Boyle extended the lead with a power-play goal in the second period. His between-the-legs redirection from the top of the crease made it a 3-1 game.

Boyle scored his second power-play goal off a one-timer from Taylor Hall with 19.7 seconds to play in the second period.